Football

Arsene Wenger has rejected doubts about Arsenal's title credentials, saying statistics back him up about the Premier League leaders on New Year's day.

Rafael Benitez's job is very much on the line when Real Madrid entertain Real Sociedad on Wednesday in La Liga as the match will take place during the holiday period.

Midfielder Jordon Ibe is likely to return from illness for Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland on Wednesday but a recovering James Milner will have to wait another week for his comeback, manager Jurgen Klopp has said.

The second part of an explosive Independent Commission (IC) report into allegations of systematic doping and "corruption and bribery" at the highest levels of international athletics will be released on Jan. 14, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

Arsenal provisionally moved to the top of the English Premier League on Monday after a 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

Stoke City are refusing to take an out-of-sorts Manchester United for granted when the sides meet in the Premier League on Saturday, with the Red Devils more than capable of rediscovering their best form, manager Mark Hughes has said.

Dattaraj Salgaocar said on Monday said that Chennaiyin FC captain Elano Blumer's "ungentlemanly behaviour" forced him to lodge complain with the Goa Police instead of referring the matter to the ISL disciplinary committee.

For Klopp the honeymoon enjoyed by any new manager is now over, with the five-times European champions only one place higher in the table than when Brendan Rodgers was sacked two months ago.

The match will pitch England's Jamie Vardy, with a league-leading 15 goals this season for Leicester, against Everton's Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku (12), with Vardy's attacking partner, Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez (11), in a supporting role.

The Argentina international admits any deal would cost a lot of money but insists the Parisians have the financial capability to sign his compatriot who is a four-time "World FIFA Player of the Year" award winner.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has expressed concern that the demanding festive fixture list, during which his side are scheduled to play four matches in 13 days, might affect his performance.

Football world reacts to the sacking of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on Thursday.

Factbox on Jose Mourinho who was sacked as Chelsea manager on Thursday.

Blatter is due to step down from his high-profile position next year with presidential elections due to be held in Zurich on February 26 to elect a successor.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given winger Alexis Sanchez a "slight chance" of being included in his squad for Monday's Premier League showdown at home to Manchester City.

Devastated after losing to Chennaiyin FC on 2-4 aggregate in the Indian Super League football semifinals, Atletico de Kolkata forward Iain Hume on Wednesday blamed the defeat on the lack of work ethic of his team.